Now that you have your wheelchair, you may be asking, “What is the best way to transfer in and out of my manual or power wheelchair?” Your wheelchair may be doing a great job getting you around, but there may be some issues with getting into or out of it. Those transfers can be tricky or even dangerous for you and your caregiver. Most falls and injuries occur when trying to transfer.

If your mobility challenge has limited you from standing and transferring from your bed, toilet, easy chair or vehicle, check out these incredible accessibility tools which make it easier and safer to move in and out of your wheelchair.

Ceiling Patient Lifts

Some patient lifts hang from the ceiling moving the patient via your sling-of-choice on permanently installed rail systems. There is even a greater selection of ceiling Patient Lifts which have free-standing frames that are not attached to the ceiling. The variety of frames can fit over beds to lift and swing the patient in and out of a wheelchair, toilet or a comfy chair.

Floor Patient Lifts

Explore the incredible choices of floor models which can be moved from place to place. The choice of sling can be used to lift the patient up out of bed and into a wheelchair. The entire frame which the sling hangs from can be moved from room to room to safely transfer the patient in a variety of settings.

Orbit Patient Lift

One or several of these pole type lifts can be installed in needed places to transfer the patient from wheelchair to bed, dining room table, sofa, toilet or chair. The inconspicuous pole takes up a very small amount of space. The arm that holds the patient in a sling swings in lots of positions and folds flat out of the way when not in use.

Molift Patient Lifts

Choose from a “dolly” style that slides under the Wheelchair or chair and helps the caregiver lift the patient from sit to standing or back again. There is also a transportable Molift model which aides in lifting the patient off the floor or bed into the wheelchair or chair.

As always, our AccessNSM accessibility professionals are standing by to help you find the correct patient Lift, along with the proper sling or belt to make transfers safer and easier for the patient and caregiver. We offer a no cost consultation to help you find the perfect solution for transferring in and out of your wheelchair with minimal assistance while preventing injuries. Contact us today.

https://accessnsm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/How-to-transfer-from-your-wheelchair-1.jpg6201193AccessNSMhttps://accessnsm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/AccessNSM-Logo-2.pngAccessNSM2019-01-25 10:12:182019-01-22 10:13:53How to Transfer In and Out of Your Wheelchair

We are honored to deliver thousands of new wheelchairs a year to people across the country at National Seating & Mobility. It’s important to us that you gain the most accessibility possible with your wheelchair. This could be the first wheelchair you or your loved one has, or perhaps you just updated to a more innovative model. Either way, there are four critical questions you should ask to ensure you get the optimal mobility from your new manual or powered wheelchair.

1. How will you get in and out of your home?

Stairs or changes in elevation are the biggest obstacle in your own home. There are some amazing solutions for both indoor and outdoor stairs. Wheelchair Ramps are one of the most widely used solutions. We have Ramps available in wood, heavy duty steel and lifetime aluminum. Wheelchair lifts are another solution. The Vertical Wheelchair Lifts are like small elevators. Inclined Platform Lifts carry a person in a wheelchair up and downstairs on a rail system. We even have simple solutions like threshold ramps for slight steps or rough thresholds, as well as Automatic Door Openers. Learn more about these possible ways to make it easier to get in and out of your home in a wheelchair.

2. How will you transfer in and out of your wheelchair?

It is important to make it safe and easy to get in and out of your wheelchair. Having the correct Patient Lift can give you more independence, make the transfer less stressful and time-consuming, and prevent serious injury to both the user and caregiver. There is a great selection of portable, overhead, bariatric, and hygiene lifts. Ask one of our accessibility professionals to help you find the perfect Patient Lift for your unique situation.

3. How will you manage your hygiene and bathing needs?

Most bathrooms are not designed with wheelchairs in mind. There are a host of solutions for making the smallest but most important room of your home safer, easier to use and more accessible without taking out a loan. One of our experienced professionals can consult with you to see if one of our many styles of Grab Bars, Overhead Lifts, Patient Lifts or Sliding Transfer Systems might be just the answer you need to safeguard against falls and lifting injuries while offering greater independence and privacy in the bathroom.

4. How to transport your wheelchair to activities outside your home?

Don’t limit your life to your home just because you use a wheelchair. There are lots of models of Vehicle lifts designed to make it as simple as pushing a button to lift and load your wheelchair in your new or existing van, SUV, car, or truck. Models are available to transport your wheelchair inside or outside your vehicle. We even have valet seating that lifts you up into the vehicle.

Contact your local AccessNSM professional who is dedicated to helping your find answers to all your mobility questions.

The highest rate of injury is found in the healthcare industry by those who lift and transition patients on a regular basis like CNAs, transport techs and nurses. In fact, OSHA reports seven times more musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare than any other industry. Part of that is due to the average age of nurses now being over 44 years old, heavier patients, and the call for speedier work. The high risk of permanent injuries affects not only professional caregivers, but also the paid or volunteer caregiver in private residential settings. Many family members and friends care for someone at home without the training and equipment that might be available for professional caregivers.

Eleven states now require lifting and transitioning in hospitals to be aided by proper patient lifts to protect the caregiver’s health. There are a lot of different models of patient lifts available that not only safeguard the caregiver and patient from potential injuries, but will make for smoother, less stressful lifting and transitioning. Many models are affordable for home use. Careful research and consultation with accessibility experts will ensure the correct patient lift choices for institutional use and residential use.

Professional Patient Lifts

There is a wide array of patient lifts available to the healthcare industry whether it is in a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or school setting. These invaluable tools will greatly reduce employee injuries, many of which are career-ending. Days off due to injuries will be reduced. Production is increased as the lifting and transitioning takes less time and people to assist. Patient lifts also safeguard the patient from unnecessary falls. Adding the proper patient lifts and making them readily available to each floor is a cost effective, wise and compassionate investment. Today’s technology includes everything from simple slings designed to pull migrating patients back up in bed to sit-to-stand lifts, floor models, overhead lifts, portable and installed lifts, hygiene lifts which aide in toileting, as well as a wide array of therapeutic lifts to aide in standing and walking. There are also bariatric patient lifts for large patients. The wide selection of patient lifts and price range should mean every single medical setting has some sort of lift available. Accessibility professionals can assist with the best choices for safety in your
facility.

Private Home Patient Lifts

Patient Lifts can be just as critical in caring for someone in a private home. Many caregivers are older and are at even greater risk for musculoskeletal disorders from attempting to lift or transition the one they are caring for. With such a great variety of Patient Lifts available, there are many options to aide in lifting patients in the home safely. It could even mean the difference in being able to stay in their private home as opposed to going to a medical facility. Lifts are available to lift from the bed to wheelchair or from sitting to standing, to assist with hygiene, or to transition so the linens can be changed without injury.

When caring for those with mobility challenges, having a patient lift is critical for both patient and caregiver both in private homes or medical institutions. Patient Lifts are a critical tool. Contact us for a no obligation assessment. AccessNSM has branches located across the country.

https://accessnsm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Prism-Portable-Overhead-Ceiling-Lift-System.jpg8531071AccessNSMhttps://accessnsm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/AccessNSM-Logo-2.pngAccessNSM2018-05-10 10:56:482018-05-10 10:56:48Patient Lifts-- a Critical Safety Tool for Professional and Home Caregivers